The Weight of History
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesHugh Taft-Morales Leader, Philadelphia Ethical Society In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and February’s Black History Month, Hugh Taft-Morales will discuss how the horrific damage done to people and communities of color due to “white supremacy” can practically paralyze many who in theory support campaigns for justice. He will share information about a [...]
Facing the Past: UPenn’s Ties to Slavery
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesKathleen Brown, Professor of History, UPenn VanJessica Gladney, Public History Fellow, UPenn Kathleen Brown and VanJessica Gladney (Class of 2018) will discuss the impetus behind the creation of the Penn and Slavery student research project in Fall 2017 and some of its findings. The University of Pennsylvania, while not itself a slaveholding institution, was complicit [...]
Ethical Eating
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesHugh Taft-Morales Leader, Philadelphia Ethical Society Discussions about the food we eat can be intense and divisive. The cruel treatment of animals used to provide humans with food, along with environmental and social justice issues, can divide progressive groups that agree on many things. How do we work through differences about personal decisions about what we consume? [...]
Introduction to Ethical Humanism
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesJoin Hugh Taft-Morales for the first Introduction to Ethical Humanism of 2019! We’ll share snacks and conversation about our non-theist alternative to traditional religion. In honor of the 400th year since the first Africans were brought against their will to the British colonies, Hugh will offer a section on Ethical Culture’s historic and current relationship to systemic racism. (Note the [...]
Second Discussion – Before the Mayflower: A History of Black America
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesFor those who want to go into more depth on this text, and for those who missed our first discussion, come continue the discussion of Before the Mayflower: A History of Black America by Lerone Bennett Jr. Bennett. We’ll focus most on the second half of the book this time. To mark the 400th year since Africans were brought against [...]
If Iola Were a Man: The Sexual Politics of Ida B. Wells
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesMia Bay History Professor, University of Pennsylvania Born into slavery in Mississippi in 1862, Ida B. Wells overcame a difficult childhood to become a prominent journalist and social reformer, who was as outspoken as any of her male contemporaries. Speaking at a time when it was not customary for women to talk about violence, sex, [...]
Learning from Frederick Douglass
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesHugh Taft-Morales Leader, Philadelphia Ethical Society There are few historical figures that better epitomize resiliency, integrity, and strength of personality than Frederick Douglass. Few can match how he maintained his sense of self-worth against all odds and rose to the pinnacle of prestige. If it is true that, as Douglass said, “We have to do [...]
Philadelphia Stoics, Ancient Philosophy for Modern Times
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesJoin Hugh Taft-Morales in learning about the local group of thoughtful folks known as Philadelphia Stoics. Their goal is "to introduce Stoic philosophy to anyone interested in living a happier and more fulfilling life and to help students of Stoicism practice the philosophy in their daily lives." Stoicism is a practical philosophy for guiding people [...]
Designer Genes: Ethical Implications of Altering the Human Genome
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesIn November, 2018 at the Second World Summit on Human Genome Editing, the birth of the first “CRISPR” babies (a pair of twins) was announced in Hong Kong. A “rogue” Chinese scientist, acting against guidelines created by national and international scientific societies, reported that he had used CRISPR-Cas9 technology to edit the DNA in human [...]
Book Discussion – The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass
Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesJoin Hugh Taft-Morales as we delve into one of the most impressive historical figures of our country’s history. All invited, but try to read the book first!